Latest news with #Pandavas
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Haridwar temple ‘built by Pandavas' damaged in Mansa Devi landslide
Haridwar: A centuries-old Shiva temple in Haridwar was damaged on Monday after a massive landslide on Mansa Devi mountain after a night of incessant rain. The district administration said no one was injured in the incident, which occurred around 11am. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Residents believe the temple was built by the Pandavas during their journey to Badrinath. Locals said they would bear the cost of repairs, viewing the damage as a bad omen and hoping to prevent further misfortune. Municipal councillor Sumit Chaudhary told TOI, "People are petrified after the damage to the temple and the centuries-old Shivling inside. We have decided to rebuild it at our own expense to avoid aby untoward incidents. If the govt steps in to renovate, we won't oppose it, but we want to take the initiative. " Ujjwal Pandit, secretary of Shri Ganga Sabha, Haridwar, said, "Bhimgoda Kund and its temple is one of Haridwar's oldest holy sites. According to legend, the pond was formed when Bhim struck his knee on the ground here to bring water for Draupadi during the Pandavas' pilgrimage to the Himalayas." Bhimgoda Kund is located near Har Ki Pauri, close to the Mansa Devi mountain, part of the fragile Shivalik range where landslides are common during the monsoon.
India.com
4 days ago
- India.com
Don't Miss This: The Most Jaw-Dropping Folktales That Define Dehradun's Soul
Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, is home to significant natural beauty and ancient educational institutes, but it has much more to offer. This city is wrapped within a rich culture of local legends and ancient myths. These tales blended together add more charm to the already beautiful city. From ancient rishis and modern day miracles, the folklore of Dehradun and its rich culture never ceases to amaze its locals as well as visitors. Story of Guru Dronacharya and The Name 'Dehradun' In modern personal history there has been the most popular legend related to the city being known as Dehradun. It is believed that the city's name is derived from 'Dera', a camp, along with 'Dun' a valley. The story intertwines with the Mahabharata which speaks of its famous teacher Guru Dronacharya who taught the Pandavas and Kauravas. Legend states that he established his 'Dera' or camp around this region. As per the legend, it is said that Dehradun was home to his ashram and the city was given the name after him. Further strengthening the bond of the ancient sage with the city is Dronanagari, a village near the city which is also associated with this tale. Wonders Behind The Tapkeshwar Temple Surrounded by a river, Tapkeshwar Temple is one of the most famous temples in Dehradun. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and carries a lot of mystics with it. It is believed that the temple gets its name because water 'tapak' continuously falls on the Shiva Lingam in a cave. Local elders say that the natural phenomenon is a God's blessing and contains some miracle healing powers. Another fascinating story revolves around the Pandavas, it is believed that they came there looking for shelter during their exile. The sound of tap water is especially calming combined with the serene ambience of the temple which gives the user an out of the world experience. Haunting Tale of Robber's Cave The Guchhupani or Robber's Cave is located 8 Kilometers away from Dehradun city and is one of the natural cave formations. It is well known as a picnic spot and an adventure site, however, to the locals, it is the subject of chilling folklore. Legends say that in the past, daring bandits used to guard this vast underground cavern or 'cave' and would rob travelers who were passing through this region. The cave has countless narrow passages and hidden chambers which are ideal for illegal activities. As time passed, eerie tales began to spread about the cave where ghostly figures and eerie sounds could be heard. To this day, some locals presume the spirits of the marauders still haunt the cave, making exploration of the cave more adventurous. Mandi's lies are deeply enshrined in myth. In Dehradun, there is an ancient grain market called Lakhi Mandi that is said to date all the way back to the time of Aurangzeb who was fascinated by the Doon Valley's fertility and abundant agricultural harvests. But Lakhi Mandi's folklore adds a mystical component to the story. Legend has it that a saint blessed the market and foretold that it will always be prosperous for grain and to this day, there has never been a shortage witnessed. Lakhi Mandi is always bustling with activity and trade, many attribute its eternal success to the saint's blessings. Tale of the Curse of Sahastradhara Sahastradhara, or Thousandfold Spring, is a stunning waterfall and sulfur spring with a legend behind it. It sits on the outskirts of Dehradun and is a well-known tourist spot. People say that long ago a beautiful princess bathed in the springs only to be cursed by a sage who was meditating, turning her into stone. Locals claim to still see her spirit lingering in the area. Many also believe that the sulfur springs have healing abilities and can cure numerous diseases. However, they also advise against disrespecting the natural beauty of the place as it can anger the princess's spirit. Tale Behind the Asan Barrage An artificial wetland located next to Dehradun, the Asan Barrage, is not just a hotspot for bird lovers, but is famous for an interesting local story. According to legend, the barrage was built on an ancient battlefield where a battle between gods and demons took place. The water of the barrage is believed to be holy and the area is considered to be sacred. Most of the locals have a custom of visiting the barrage to pray and receive blessings, especially during festivals. Final Thoughts The myths and legends of Dehradun are far deeper than mere stories. This beautiful city is rich in culture and spirituality. Whether real or imagined, these legends provide a special appeal to the city. While walking through the streets or exploring the natural beauty of Dehradun, one feels a certain nostalgia as if the spirits of the ancient sages, warriors and mystical creatures are still present in this marvelous valley. In today's world, these stories emphasize how much magic still remains in the heart of Dehradun.
India.com
23-06-2025
- India.com
History Meets Himalayas With Explore The Most Iconic Heritage Sites In Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi is located in the Himalayas and has an amazing history and wonderful culture. Its long past intertwines with Indian mythological legends making it an attraction to anyone interested in history as well as spiritual people. In Uttarkashi's lanes you will come across traces of the gone times that tell their individual stories. These are the major historical jewels that you should explore in this fascinating place. 1. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering The Nehru Institute of Mountaineering stands next to the fast flowing Bhagirathi River showing how adventurous Uttarkashi town is. This famous institution was opened in 1965 and named after Jawaharlal Nehru, who was India's first prime minister. It is a site for training upcoming mountaineers and contains some historical facts about mountains' climbing experiences. Among its displays are ancient photos, rock-climbing tools and other artefacts that help understand how mountaineering evolved over time in India. 2. Maneri Dam Maneri Dam, built on top of hills descending from Uttarkashi, represents nothing but nature's awesomeness colliding with a great engineering artefact. Constructed across Bhagirathi River early in the nineteen hundredth century, this hydroelectric project not only quenches the region's thirst but also holds historical significance. The damming changed the shape of Uttarkashi forever while ushering modernity into this area. It acts as a hideout where visitors can enjoy stillness near its blue waters surrounded by picturesque landscapes. 3. Kuteti Devi Temple Hidden deep within green woods of Uttarkashi is Kuteti Devi Temple wrapped up with mystique and mythology myths around it; dedicated to Goddess Durga—locals and pilgrims respect this centuries-old temple greatly because they hold folktales on it: Pandavas are the ones who built it when they were in exile and miraculously, still blesses its worshipers. Travellers passing by the monument's magnificent architectural design will always see a serene environment that invites them on a quest for peace and self-discovery. 4. Harsil Harsil, nestled in the bosom of Himalayas, transports its visitors back to a forgotten era with its old-time charm. This scenic village located alongside Bhagirathi River was once a major trading centre on ancient Indo-Tibetan business route. With beautiful views of snow-capped peaks and cedar forests throughout ,poets and artists have been inspired by those scenes for years. You will come to meet century-old temples, typical wooden houses as well as hearing stories that can be heard in every corner of these valleys while taking strolls through this place. 5. Gangotri Temple Gangotri Temple is an emblematic site of religious fanaticism situated 3100m above sea level amidst Garhwal Himalayas. Hindus worldwide pay their homage to this shrine known as the abode of Goddess Ganga which holds great significance in Hindu religion. Being believed as the source of holy river Ganges thousands flock to this spot seeking blessings and redemption every year. The temple is beautifully designed in Uttarkashi culture with intricate sculptures and decorations all over it reflecting the city's rich cultural heritage . Wrapping Up Uttarkashi is abounding with historical sites that are waiting patiently to be discovered. From ancient temples which stand side by side with contemporary buildings, each site tells its own story about Uttarkashi's ancient past and cultural heritage. As you travel back in time on this hillside pilgrimage may you unlock the secrets of our ancestry while curving your memories of the Himalayas' splendour?
Scroll.in
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
What timeless literature tells us about injustice, war and human nature
A work of literature is called great when it remains contemporaneous across time spans and ages. In our civilisation, the Mahabharata is one such epic. One can spend a lifetime poring over the plots and subplots of this epic, examining the complexity of its countless characters, the inter-relationships and crosscurrents among them. Why is it so? Have our moral values, emotions, and social complexity not changed a bit over the ages? It does seem that when we look closely at the incidents of the Mahabharata that nothing has changed. Draupadi's cheer-haran (disrobing) in the Grand Assembly of the Kauravas is one such incident. Dhritrashtra's Grand Assembly was graced by fearless, brave warriors without number. Celebrated intellectuals, spiritual greats, and policy analysts – all were present there. In this assembly of greats, Draupadi was dragged in by the hair like some object, like a seized object, and her disrobing began. Not one man in this Grand Assembly of Aryavrat's most powerful people dared to unseal his lips in the face of this outrage. Courage, bravery, morality – all got muffled up when confronted with the might of the State. Similar outrages have been recurring in every era over the ages. But in that Assembly, there was one man who did dare to raise his voice against injustice. Dhritrashtra's eighty-sixth son, Yuyutsu. Yuyutsu not only rebelled against the Kauravas but also fought alongside the Pandavas in the ensuing battle. The irony and tragedy of being Yuyutsu has been illustrated by Dharmveer Bharati in the play Andha Yug. After the devastation of war, Yuyutsu, the only Kaurava alive, goes to the palace to meet his parents, only to discover that Dhritrashtra and Gandhari are filled with deep loathing towards him. They snub their rebel son. Dejected, Yuyutsu steps out and his eyes fall on an injured Kaurava soldier. He fetches water for the man, but the soldier recognises him as his aggressor and rejects the water touched by the enemy's hand. Yuyutsu had set out to befriend the truth, but the truth of war turned out to be something else altogether. In the end, Yuyutsu found neither the truth he was seeking nor the love of his parents. Finally, he took his own life. The absurdity Yuyutsu faces is the irony faced by every person down the ages who has stood up for truth and justice before State power. To be rejected by one's own becomes his destiny. The Pandavas wanted to give the Kauravas a fitting reply in the very language the Kauravas deployed. Till the last moment, Krishna made every effort to avert the war. In the end, the Pandavas fought back using the same language that the Kauravas used. Every kind of deceit and deception was deployed. At the end of the Mahabharat, the Kauravas were erased but what became of the Pandavas? The ageing Pandavas survived the war but their next generation was destroyed. Arjun and Subhadra's son, the unarmed Abhimanyu, got trapped in the Chakravyuh he knew how to enter, but not exit, and was killed. Draupadi's five sons were deceitfully murdered while still asleep in the camp. The only remaining trace of the Pandavas was Abhimanyu's unborn baby in his widow Uttara's womb. Ashwatthama, Dronacharya's son, bent on taking revenge for his father's death by deception, aimed the Brahmastra at Uttara's womb. Brahmastra, meaning the nuclear weapon of that age. Krishna somehow neutralised the Brahmastra and cursed Ashwatthama to an eternity of wandering in the wilderness, dragging his countless wounds. War can always justify itself but Krishna tells that the man who uses weapons of mass destruction is always detested and abhorred, the way Ashwatthama was. Ashwatthama wanders with festering wounds even today, telling the world what punishment for genocide looks like. In the preface to his timeless novel, Tamas, Bhisham Sahani writes, 'Those who learn nothing from history are cursed to repeat it.' The dialogue that Rahi Masoom Raza wrote for the screenplay of the televised Mahabharata also express this sentiment. The beautiful title song by Pandit Narendra Sharma has this line: 'Let the times gone by teach us, let us welcome a new era.' But who learns from times gone by? Time flows on, new generations come and repeat the old mistakes. Time and again, the hostile emotions of men push great civilisations towards destruction. This happens in every corner of the world. Not for nothing did Stephen Hawking say, 'We are in the danger of destroying ourselves because of greed and stupidity.' Many centuries after the Mahabharata, the great Hindi novelist Premchand wrote the story Shatranj ke Khiladi in the 20th century. As a metaphor, chess is equivalent to the dice game chaupad that the Pandavas played and lost. The situation, the setting, the characters, the plot; are all different in this story but the tragic sense of irony is the same as Mahabharat. Meer and Mirza were addicted to chess the way our modern society is addicted to narratives of war. While worries of the East India Company launching an attack cloud the future of the 19th-century princely state of Awadh, the two men are worried that the Nawab might summon them to the battlefield and they would have to leave their game of chess midway. To escape the royal edict, the two addicts repair to ruins away from the city, so that they may continue their game of chess. Such is their enthusiasm in the two opponents to save their badshah, their chessboard vizier, that they exchange heated words over a move and then pull out their swords. The two ultimately kill each other as Awadh is occupied by the East India Company. The make-believe world of chessboard victories and slights that Meer and Mirza delight in is much like the war cries and victory chants issued from the televisions in our drawing rooms. Times change, but the ironies of human existence do not.
India.com
08-06-2025
- India.com
7 Stunning Caves And Geological Wonders You Must See Near Udaipur
Udaipur is among the most favorite tourist destinations in Rajasthan with its breathtaking lakes, palaces, and royal heritage. But its covering glamour is just the surface. Underneath it lies a lot of natural wonders that are yet to be found, like caves and other geological formations which mark the presence of ancient life. This makes it a perfect getaway for both explorers and nature enthusiasts. Below is a list of 7 such unsung wonders around Udaipur's hidden gems, where all three, history, geology, and enigma meet. 1. Rajpura Caves The caves are tucked away in lush green beauty near Udaipur and they are over 1000 years old with several remnants of a lost civilization, possibly a part of the uncanny markings on the walls. These features give the caverns deep historical roots as well as a hint of natural beauty. The dance of narrow paths and intriguing rocks makes this spot perfect for people who like to get lost in nature and are quite intrigued by the thrill of it all. Facts: About 40 km away from Udaipur. The caves are a site of ancient markings. The caves can be reached with a short trek through the dense vegetation. 2. Ubeshwar Ji Cave The Ubeshwar Ji Cave Temple of Udaipur is a popular tourist attraction as it is near the Ubeshwar Ji temple. Those who wish for solitude may visit the cave as it is small. The cave is surrounded by greenery and has water running around its rocky walls. All these factors help form a serene atmosphere perfect for meditation and photography. Fact: It is approximately 20 kms from Udaipur. It is famous for the calm and peace that it offers. It is ideal for visiting during the monsoons due to its green aura. 3. Pandav Caves The locals claim Pandav caves to be the hiding spot of the Pandavas during their exile as told in the epics of Mahabharata. Even though these caves were not explored much, they do have wonderful, rare geological time-aged formations inside. Visitors love to come to the site and gaze at the splendid views from the surrounding valleys. Fact: Goes by the Jaisamand Lake and is 50 kms away from Udaipur. The site is believed to be of Mahabharata. It has jaw dropping views of the Aravalli range. 4. Jhameshwar Cave Nestled within the Aravalli hills, Jhameshwar Cave is lore rich having a miniature shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Hikers and nature lovers alike will find the cave, which is 30 km away from Udaipur, a great place to visit due to the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. The breathtaking trek to the cave is equally enthralling as the cave itself. Facts: Being 30 km from Udaipur, it is only about an hour drive from the city. The cave also features a Shivling in its naturally sculpted context. The cave is prominent with trekking lovers. 5. Menar Fossil Park Menar Fossil Park is very different from other caves, and much more than just a cave, this site is filled with marine fossils that date back hundreds of years. It is famous among geology students as it helps in creating a complete picture of this area when the Menar village was submerged under an ocean. It is one of the most magical places for geology lovers. Facts: It is situated in the Menar village, around 48 km from Udaipur. This everlasting paradise of paleontology enthusiasts has fossils that are believed to be over 150 million years old. 6. Hathipole Cave Like many caves in India, Hathipole cave is not very well known. It is situated not far from Udaipur on the way to Hathipole market. Even though it is not that famous, it provides an interesting look into the region's geology due to the presence of natural stalactite and stalagmite formations. The cave can be explored, but a lot of effort is needed to crawl through the small gaps. However, once inside, the sights are breathtaking and worth every ounce of the effort. Facts: Found close to Hathipole area, roughly 15 kilometers away from Udaipur. Famed for peculiar shaped rocks. It is accessible with minimal climbing. 7. Badi Lake Caves Some distance away from the calm Badi Lake is a cluster of small caves which are very close to untouched natural beauty. If you are seeking a great place to just wind down, there is no better place than these caves as its aesthetic appeal combined with the proverbial cherry on top: the Badi Lake, takes the breath away. As a result of the interaction between the rock and water, there is an environment that is refreshing and sure to intrigue the heart of any explorer. Facts: Located almost 12 kilometers away from Udaipur. It enjoys the stunning view of Badi Lake. For a more peaceful experience, it is preferred that you go in the early morning or evening. Conclusion Udaipur has a lot to offer the modern traveler apart from the well known palaces and the lakes. The natural caves and other wonders surrounding the city allow you to travel back in time and appreciate beauty and history. From history admirers to nature enthusiasts, and even adventure lovers, everyone can find something exciting in these hidden gems.
